Egress Window For Attic Bedroom

Have an egress point attics are the worst place to be in a fire because heat and fire rise rapidly.

Egress window for attic bedroom.

Attics that meet the size and ceiling height criteria of the habitable attic definition in chapter 2 are considered habitable. This would imply that some egress windows are expected to be more than 15 or 20 ft. V 2500 series white vinyl right handed sliding window with fiberglass mesh screen. It must be at least 5 7 square feet that is at least 20 inches wide by 24 inches high with an opening no higher than 44 inches from the floor.

Please be aware of the definition and egress requirements of a habitable attic as it relates to dwellings built from the 2012 irc. Window wells serving an egress window shall not be less than 9 square feet in area with a horizontal length width of no less than 36 inches. Minimum 20 inches of net clear width opening. An egress window is a window that is large enough according to local building codes to enter or exit a room during an emergency.

Irc r310 1 requires all sleeping rooms to have emergency escape and rescue openings however i think the irc is limited to 3 story residences. For determining egress window sizes and placement the international building code holds that every bedroom must contain at least one egress window. The 2009 and 2015 irc verbiage is similar and still applicable. The trickiest part is the window egress.

High and 20 in. Ibc 1029 1 requires sleeping rooms below the 4th story to have emergency escape and rescue openings. A window has to be taller and or wider than these minimums to meet the 5 7 sq ft opening requirement. The base of the well can be no more than 44 inches above the bedroom floor.

To qualify a basement window as an egress you may also have to install window wells to enlarge windows and allow access. In most codes this means an opening not fixed window to the outside. Egress windows are usually required when finishing a basement or attic. When installed in a basement egress windows are often paired with an egress well and attached ladder or steps for easy escape.

Since the staircase to the attic can act as a chimney for the fire to quickly spread it s necessary to have a secondary point of egress or exit. Minimum 24 inches of net clear height opening. Wide does not meet egress requirements since its net clear opening is only 3 33 sq.